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found some 8088 stuff at goodwill. help identify.

as for the video card. I looked it over very carefully and theres nothing except the NEC chip to give a hint of what it it. I tried it with that XT motherboard and a CGA monitor. I got nothing except when it was plugged into the upper most port. when it was connected there upon hiting the power switch the screen got noticely brighter but thats it.

If there are no EPROMs on the board, then I suspect that you'll get nothing unless you have the drivers for the board--that might be a tough one--especially if the board can't be identified with any certainty.

It's quite likely that display drivers for this board were produced specifically for a given package, such as AutoCAD or Ventura Publisher and not for general-purpose use.
 
That stinks about the video card since that may basicly make it useless. The wierd men cards though I was told on anouther forum they may be 32 bit external memory cards for certain early 386 boards before simms were around.
 
That stinks about the video card since that may basicly make it useless. The wierd men cards though I was told on anouther forum they may be 32 bit external memory cards for certain early 386 boards before simms were around.

I think not in ECC configuration, however--parity yes, but ECC was pretty advanced for a lowly personal computer. Why not measure the cards and compare them to the outline of a full-size ISA card--my guess is that they're too large to fit in an ISA profile.

I suspect these were for some non-PC application; probably workstation or mini.
 
About the video card, maybe one of these?


Number Nine Visual Technology

Code:
Revolution 512x8	512×480	256 colors selectable from a palette of 16.7 million		ISA	uses NEC µPD7220
Revolution 512x32	512×480	245,760 colors selectable from a palette of 16.7 million	ISA	uses NEC µPD7220


Also here is more info about the chip.

http://books.google.com/books?id=_C8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA31&lpg=PA31&dq=NEC+7220&source=bl&ots=1jdafQEMO4&sig=yaJKihAH4dQeeWH1_bkrlenCkQY&hl=en&sa=X&ei=LI8zUfbqBoie8gT8xYGQDQ&ved=0CEgQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=NEC%207220&f=false


Later,
dabone
 
They don't fit in a Isa slot but apperently some boards had special riser slots that these then went in. The cards themselves are as big as some motherboards so I'm not sure I completly believe that either.
 
Acually. Seeing as I found these with that non descript video card that seems like its from some specialised work system the workstation thing makes sense. Also found that copy card with it all. Is there any market or use for this specialised stuff?
 
There is a small market for the Central Point Copy II PC card. I sold one not too long ago for $25. The motherboard, if working, might also garner some interest, but don't be too expectant--real IBM 5160s are still kicking around, complete.

If the card is a Revolution 512x8, it could certainly be regarded as a collector's item. Apparently NCSA Telnet supported it, as probably a few packages did. Perhaps you might find an early Windows driver. Given that this was a rare card in 1986, you're going to have to be lucky to find documentation and software for it.
 
It depends on the version and the desire of a person to get as much as the market will bear. Mine was complete with manual, box and software--even had the warranty card. I'm not interested in this stuff for the money, so $25 to me was fair, considering that I had no use for the card. Also be aware that there were several versions of the card and that the one you're offering is least versatile.

I submit that if you're into this stuff for the money, you're in the wrong forum. eBay is probably the place where you'll realize your dreams of lucre. To each his own--there are other activities that some do for money and others do for enjoyment. Most of the people here are of the latter persuasion.
 
Yhea. I see where your coming from. For me though the money just goes right back into the hobby. Heck, id acually be happier with trades then money. I was just a bit suprised since I was seeing prices quit a but higher the $25.
 
For many of us, particularly, the older people, it's either the dustbin for a lot of stuff or try to see that someone who can appreciate it will get it. For me, my fear is that my widow will get left with this stuff on her hands--and I have no doubt where it will go from there.

Over on the classic computer list, several members collect mainframe-sized gear. I can't imagine what they'll end up doing.

On the other hand, my wife has admitted that she's more concerned about how to dispose of my collection of tubas...
 
About the video card, maybe one of these?


Number Nine Visual Technology

Code:
Revolution 512x8	512×480	256 colors selectable from a palette of 16.7 million		ISA	uses NEC µPD7220
Revolution 512x32	512×480	245,760 colors selectable from a palette of 16.7 million	ISA	uses NEC µPD7220

Again, those have a different boar layout, and use separate RCA ports for RGB instead of a D-Shell with everything on the same connector. Also, Number 9 was also very consistent in putting their name on their boards. The Number 9 Revolution cards do have headers for a daugthercard, but that's for optional Genlock capabilities.

Is there any name or other clue on the board other than it is using the uPD7220, and How much memory is it on it?

Here are some pictures of both the Revolution versions, plus one of the daugthercard versions for the 512x32:
Number 9 computer, Revolution 512x8 (1985) Component C.jpgNumber 9 computer, Revolution 512x32 Board (1988) Component C.jpgNumber 9 computer, Revolution 512x32 Daugtherboard (1987) Component C.jpg
 
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I'll have a look at some of my old catalogs to see if any has a photo of an Artist board.

I believe the NEC GPU made its first appearance on the NEC APC, which I think actually precedes the 5150 by a tiny bit.
 
Found some clues by searching for SR-12 and uPD7220... The Vol.9 (1984) January issue of BYTE mentions the following:

[...]
Now, we've done it again
with the SR-12: our new super-
resolution RGB monitor that
meets the most demanding ex-
pectations at a price that will
surprise you.
[...]
The new SR-12 also features a
31 mm dot pitch supporting 690
horizontal resolution. However,
by increasing the horizontal
scan rate to 31.5 KHZ, the SR-12
can support 480 vertical resolu-
tion in non-interlaced mode.
This results in a very high
quality, flickerless image with
the ability to generate text that
is truly of monochrome quality,
making it equally suitable for
word processing and for color
graphics. Suggested retail price,
a remarkable $799.
[...]
What this means is that the connector labeled SR-12 will actually output with standard VGA sync frequencies, but problably with digital RGB(I) signals.

The uPD7220 is also mentioned once in another ad of that magazine, around page 187. Seems to be just after some ads about CAD and drawing software packages:

ULTRA-RES M GRAPHICS

IEEE-696 S-100 IBM-PC

- 1X512X512 $495
- 3X512X512 $1250
- 1X1024X1024 $995
[...]
- CONSOLE EMULATOR $50
- 2D DRAFTING SOFTWARE $200
- PLOT 10 $150
[...]
Software drivers. Hardware zoom, Programmable Display
Resolution, Windowing. Multi-Controller Capability,
NEC UPD7220 Graphic Controller

ULTRA-RES Trademark CSD Inc.
IBM-PC Trademark IBM

C.S.D. Incorporated
P.O. BOX 253 Sudbury, MA 01776
(617) 443-2750
 
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For many of us, particularly, the older people, it's either the dustbin for a lot of stuff or try to see that someone who can appreciate it will get it. For me, my fear is that my widow will get left with this stuff on her hands--and I have no doubt where it will go from there.

Over on the classic computer list, several members collect mainframe-sized gear. I can't imagine what they'll end up doing.

On the other hand, my wife has admitted that she's more concerned about how to dispose of my collection of tubas...
Do you have anything computer related that is very valuable or historical that needs to end up in a museum or sold to cover bills? Most people just have a collection of common items not realy worth that much individually nor historically important. If I had a Picasso painting then donating it to a 200 year old museum that isn't going anywhere or selling it would not be a problem, but with vintage computer gear finding a computer museum that will still exist 10 years later is much harder.
 
The interest of a museum doesn't necessarily converge with that of a hobbyist. Museum funding is rarely secure.

On the graphics card--I can find several 7220 cards of the same time. All require software to operate and are usually CAD-package specific. Without a definite branding (is there anything in the solder side foil that might indicate the source?) this is going to be a tough one to confirm.
 
Thanks for the research Chuck(G), some updates. I received a fully working XT class machine today so I was able to test some things. the 8088 board I picked up apparently does not work. i hooked it all up and all i got was a black screen when i turned it on. i did test the CPU and it worked fine so it has to be something else.

I also tested the mystery video card in the new machine and I had the same result. only when using the sr-12 port did my cga monitor light up. if it is an early VGA what do I need to do to test it? just a pin adapter to try it on a newer VGA monitor or do i need something else. I do have a commodore Amiga RGB monitor handy. I keep looking over the card for any markings but other then what I said earlier I cant find anything. other then the nec chip they all seem to be ram. there are a number of larger chips but they have no markings whatsoever on them.
 
It's definitely not a VGA card, so even if you equipped a VGA monitor with an adapter, without driver software you still might not see anything, since there's nothing to drive the 7220 on the card.

The 7220 cards might be called second-generation high-resolution card. I suppose you'd call the first generation of hi-res graphics, the IBM PGC (or PGA) which used its own 8088 onboard and could emulate a CGA.

The next generation of specialized high-res display adapters were the TI 34010 graphics processor-based ones or "TIGA" cards. Most had a basic VGA controller on them to handle ordinary stuff, but again, special software for the likes of AutoCAD or CADVance or a host of other packages was necessary for full operation.
 
The 8088 board doesn't have any memory in it's first bank, so even if it was in perfect condition, it will never start until you replace them or at least move them from the 4th bank to the first (since the last bank has a full set, the third bank is missing two) (if you already have then ignore this).
 
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